Locking device for extensible screens and the like



Aug. 22, 1933.- s. 1'. WILLIAMS El AL 1,923,804

LOCKING DEVICE FOR EXTENSIBLE SCREENS AND THE LIKE Filed April 7, 1933 4 aw 1 A is 8 9 1 1O WiXX/ium I/Il/ll/I 80 (1416 q l2),

17 7 14 A I! I V Gttorneg Smaentors Patented Aug. 22, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING DEVICE FOR EXTENSIBLE SCREENS AND THE LIKE Virginia Application April 7, 1933. Serial No. 665,002

12 Claims.

This invention in its broadest aspect, relates to means for the locking, or securing together in adjusted relative position, the two or more sliding parts of an extensible structure, such, for example, as adjustable screens or ventilators for window openings.

Extensible window screens and ventilators usually comprise two connected sliding sections which are arranged for relative'movement in order that the structure may be adjusted as to size to fit a given space or opening such, for example, as a window opening when one sash in the window frame is either raised or lowered. If no provision is made for looking or securing a screen or ventilator in an adjusted or extended position, it sometimes happens, by accident or otherwise, that the screen is jarred or moved, and collapses to an extent that it is without lateral support at its ends and falls away from or out of the opening in which it has been placed. It is also known that extensible screens or ventilators, when not locked in an extended position in a window opening or the like, invite unauthorized tampering and unlawful entry, particularly when the opening in which the screen or ventilator is placed is easily accessible to passers-by.

The object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a locking device particularly suitable for extensible window screens or ventilators, which is adapted to secure the sliding sections in a desired, adjusted and extended position in a window frame or the like and thereby prevent its accidental displacement or collapse.

A further object of this invention is to provide a locking device on an extensible screen or ventilator and so positioned thereon that when the screen is placed in a window or other opening, unauthorized persons, working from the outside, cannot readily nor easily gain access to the lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locking device so constructed that when mounted on an extension screen or ventilator, it will be substantially out of view, except for a small projecting part thereof which serves as an operating handle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a locking device which is received and operated between abutting faces of the frame elements of the sliding sections of a window screen or ventilator.

- It is also an object of the invention to provide a locking device which may be applied to an extensible screen or ventilator without alteration or modification of the latter.

While the subject of this invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with extensible screens or ventilators, it is an object of the invention to provide a locking device which is also suitable for use with other extensible structures comprising sections relatively movable for adjustment as to size.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an efficient and relatively simple construction for a locking device which may be rapidly and cheaply produced in large quantities.

Other conspicuous advantages and objects of this invention will be apparent from the following specification which describes an embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extensible screen having a locking device embodying this invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a corner of the extensible screen in Fig. 1, and shows the locking device in its two extreme positions;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view, in perspective, of the locking device and its pivotal support;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2.

For the'purpose of illustrating an embodiment struction, comprising two relatively movable sections or sliding parts 2, 3. The frame of each section is formed of two longitudinal frame elements or members 4 and a transverse member 5. The inner faces of the members 4 are each provided with under-cut grooves 6.

The two sliding sections of the screen are assembled for adjustable sliding movement by means of a metal fixture (see Fig. 4), which fixture is secured in one section and has a projecting part adapted to slide in the groove of a rail of the other part. This detail forms no essential part of the present invention, but for illustration purposes may be descrlbed as comprising a plate 7 to which is secured by riveting or otherwise, a stud-like projection 8 with a bearing or enlarged head 9, the latter being adapted to'slide in the under-cut groove 6 of the opposing screen section.

The locking device, indicated generally by the numeral 10, and shown in Fig. 4, is adapted to be mounted on the stud 8 for pivotal movement. This locking device comprises a relatively flat, elongated main body portion 11 (see Fig. 4), provided with a key-hole cut-out 12 near the base 13. The enlarged opening at one end of the cut-out, permits convenient assembly of the locking device on the stud 8, the size of the opening being sufficient to pass the enlarged head 9. A handle part 14 and locking dog 15 are formed on the main body 11 by op positely-bent portions integral with the latter, and extend f1 om one edge and at opposite ends of the main body 11. The extremity 16 of the locking dog 15, which is positioned adjacent the base 13, is pointed and extends in a plane substantially parallel to the main body 14 (see Fig. 5).

It will be seen from the drawing that when the screen and locking device are in assembled relation, the fiat body portion 11 of the locking device extends between the inner or abutting faces of the longitudinal frame elements 4, and is pivotally mounted on one of the latter to turn about the stud 8 as an axis (see Fig. 3) while the looking part or dog 15 which is somewhat off-set from the main body portion, extends into and is slidably disposed in the groove of the other frame element. Handle 14 is conveniently located for operation above and beyond the frame elements 4.

The locking part 15 is made of such a length that its extremity 16 will be removed from the pivot 8, constituting the pivotal axis, a distance greater than the distance between the pivotal axis and the lower limit of groove 6, in which the stud head 9 slides. By this construction the locking dog 15 is adapted to lock the screen sections against relative movement in one direction, and to be automatically released from locking engagement upon movement of the sections in the opposite direction.

The location of the pivotal axis of the locking device is chosen so that the device normally assumes the position indicated at A in Figure 2, in

which position the pointed extremity 16 of the locking dog is held away from the lower part of the groove to permit relative movement of the sliding sections 2, 3. In moving from position A to B, or vice versa, the locking device has a slight translational movement, and is guided in such movement by the somewhat elongated slot at the lower end ofthe cut-out or opening 12.

Coming now to the operation of the locking device: After the sections or sliding parts of the screen or ventilator have been extended and adjusted to. fit a given space or opening such, for

example, as that left in a window frame when the sash has been raised, handle 14 is swung upwardly (counter-clockwise) and toward end 17 of the frame element 4 on which it is pivoted. This movement imparted to the locking device will bring the pointed end 16 into engagement with the opposite frame element 4 in the lower part of its groove 6, in which position the locking device will secure the sections against relative movement in one direction, that is, against movement which would change the adjusted size of the screen, and thus permit its removal from the opening in which it had been placed. The looking device is shown in the locked position at B in Fig. 2'.

Any attempted movement of the sections toward each other after the device has been brought into the locking position tends to increase the effectiveness of the locking engagement between the locking dog 15 and the cooperating frame element 4. To release this locking engagement, the handle is swung in a clockwise direction so that dog' 15 is returned to a position where it will slide in the groove 6 when the screen sections are relatively moved (see Fig. 3 and position A of the locking device in Fig. 2). At any time when the screen may be extended with the locking device in the locking position, the locking engagement will be automatically released and the lock will assume the release position A of Fig. 2.

While we have described our invention as applied to an extensible screen or ventilator, it is to be understood that the invention is also suitable for use with other extensible structures comprising sections relatively movable for adjustment as to size.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new is:

1. The combination with an extensible structure comprising sections relatively movable for adjustment as to size, one of said sections having a groove, of a locking device pivotally mounted on one section and having a part thereof slidably disposed in said groove of the other section and adapted to have locking engagement within said groove to secure the sections against relative movement in a desired adjustment as to size.

2. The combination with relatively movable sections of an extensible screen or ventilator, one of said sections having a groove, of a locking device pivotally mounted on one section and having 105 a part thereof slidably disposed in said groove of the other section, said part being adapted to have locking engagement within said groove to secure the sections against relative movement in a desired adjustment as to size. no

3. The combination with sliding sections of an extensible screen or ventilator, one of said sections having a groove, of a locking device extending between said sections and pivotally mounted on one of the sections, said locking device having 115 an operating portion, and a part slidably disposed in said groove of the other of said sections, said part being adapted to have locking engagement with said groove upon actuation of said operating in portion. 0

4. In combination with an extensible screen or ventilator comprising relatively movable sections having longitudinal frame elements in sliding, face to face relation, one of said frame elements 5 having a groove in its inner face extending length- 5 wise thereof, a locking device pivotally mounted on the other of said frame elements and extending between the sliding faces of the said frame elements, said locking device having an operating portion extending beyond the sliding faces of the '1 0 said frame elements and a locking part extending into said groove and adapted to have locking engagement therein upon actuation of said operating portion.

5. In combination with an extensible screen or ventilator comprising relatively movable, sections having sliding juxtaposed longitudinal frame elements, one of said frame elements having an under-cut groove in its inner face, and a studg secured to the other of said frame elementsnaid stud extending into said under-cut groove and having an enlarged head adapted to slide therein and to secure said sections to each other for relative sliding movement, a locking device oompris- 1 ,1 ing a relatively flat main body portion pivotally mounted on said stud and having an off-set locking part extending into said groove and adapted to have locking engagement within the groove to secure the sections against relntivezg movement in one direction.

6. Iii-combination with an extensible screen or ventilator comprising relatively movable sections having sliding juxtaposed longitudinal frame elements, one of said frame elements having an under-cut groove in its inner face, and a stud secured to the other of said frame elements, said stud extending into said under-cut groove and having an enlarged head adapted to slide therein and to secure said sections to each other for relative sliding movement, a locking device having a cut-out therein whereby said device may be pivotally mounted on said stud and in operative position with respect to said sections, said device also having an off-set locking part extended into said groove and adapted to have locking engagement within the groove to secure the sections against relative movement in one direction.

'7. The combination with sliding sections of an extensible screen or ventilator, one of said sections having a groove, of a locking device pivotally mounted on one of said sections and having a part slidably disposed in said groove of the other of said sections, said part being adapted to have locking engagement within said groove'to secure the sections against relative movement in one direction and to be automatically released upon relative movement of the sections in another direction.

8. The combination with sliding sections of an extensible screen or ventilator, one of said sections having a groove, of a locking device pivotally mounted on one of said sections, said locking device having an operating portion, and an off-set locking part slidably disposed in said groove of the other of said sections, said locking part being adapted upon actuation of said operating portion to have locking engagement within, said groove to secure the sections against relative movement in one direction and to be automatically released upon relative movement of the sections in anoth er direction. said locking device normally assuming a position in which the lock is disengaged.

9. The combination with sliding sections of an extensible screen or ventilator, one of said sections having a groove, of a locking device pivotally mounted on one of said sections, said locking, device having a locking part slidably disposed in said groove of the other of. said sections, the

extremity of said part being removed from the pivotal axis a distance greater than the distance between the pivotal axis and the lower limit of said groove, whereby said locking part is adapted to secure the sections against relative movement in one direction and to be automatically released upon relative movement of the sections in another direction.

10. A metallic locking device adapted to be mounted for pivotal movement comprising a relatively flat main body portion having a key-hole cut-out near its base, and oppositely-bent portions extending from one edge and at opposite ends thereof.

11. A metallic locking device adapted to be 12. A metallic locking device adapted to be.

mounted for pivotal movement comprising an elongated relatively fiat main body portion having a pivot-receiving aperture, near its base, and oppositely-bent portions extending from one edge and at opposite ends thereof, the extremity of said bent portion adjacent to the base of saint main body portion being pointed and extending in a plane that is off-set and substantially parallel to the plane of said main body portion.

GEORGE T. WILLIAMS. WALTER F. STORY. 

